Ayizan

The Veve of Ayizan

Ayizan – also refered to as Grande Ai-Zan, Aizan or Ayizan Velekete – is the primal or archetypal Mambo.

She is the wife of Loko Atisou, with whom she shares the guardianship of religious traditions, healing powers, and the reverence due to parents and to ancestors. Ayizan is also the loa of the marketplace, and of commerce, bringing benefits to merchants and traders.

She is closely associated with priestly secrets and knowledge, particularly those around the canzo or initiation of a hounsi. With her husband, Loko, she presides over the canzo ceremony in which the asson is presented to the initiated Mambo or Houngan.

Ayizan’s symbol – the royal palm tree – is a traditional west African symbol of freedom and of the overlap between the physical and spirit worlds. She is associated with the Catholic Saint Claire, and, in strong contrast to other Loa, such as Maman Brigitte and Baron Samedi, drinks no alcohol.